Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 18,716 to date, an increase of 155 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives has decreased to 112.8 from 119.4. Please note that our overall case count will fluctuate as CommCare records are transferred in and out of the county.

The County Executive reported that among the new cases of COVID-19, 49 had close contact with positive cases, 91 did not have clear sources of infection at this time, two had traveled out of state, and 13 are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings. There are now 1,220 active cases in the county, down from 1,246 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine increased to 2,511 from 2,400. So far, 56,341 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 17,496 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 174 recoveries since yesterday.

There were 12 new hospitalizations overnight, and there are 126 county residents currently hospitalized from the virus – a net decrease of four. There are still 16 patients in ICU’s, unchanged from yesterday. Sadly, there are two additional COVID-related deaths to report – two women in their 80’s. The death toll is now 324 since the outbreak began. 

The County Executive was joined by Albany County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce and Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region Executive Director Linda MacFarlane to announce that local businesses had officially been selected to be awarded a COVID-19 Small Business Grant. Recipients are being notified tomorrow and the full list of those awarded grants will be posted tomorrow.

“Two more county residents have lost their fight with COVID-19, and every day we see more individuals impacted by this pandemic. Our local businesses, who are the backbone of our economy, haven’t been spared either. Supporting these 132 businesses through the county’s grant program in their time of need is an investment to preserve the vitality of our neighborhoods for the future. And I’m proud to say that more than half of these grants are going to minority-owned, minority and women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“The grant recipients represent a significant percentage of the County’s employment base and have suffered greatly through no fault of their own.  I commend the County Legislature for making this funding available and want to thank the Advance Albany County Alliance and the Community Loan Fund for quickly and effectively administering this program,” he continued.

"The Albany County Legislature, and our COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force got to work immediately to identify this need in our small business community in Albany County," Albany County Chairman Andrew Joyce said. "What we did was make the most significant investment in relief for small businesses in the Capital Region in the wake of this devastating pandemic. I want to thank my colleagues in the Legislature, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, the Community Loan Fund and the Advance Albany County Alliance for their partnership in what became an incredibly popular and successful program. We hope to do more in the near future. This is local government at its finest."

“The Community Loan Fund is delighted to assist with the Albany County COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program,” said Linda MacFarlane, Executive Director of the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region. “Every day, we hear from people who are at risk of losing their livelihoods to this pandemic. They are hard working men and women, who have made enormous sacrifices to build their businesses up, and now, through no fault of their own, they are right on the edge of losing everything. We commend the Albany County Executive and the Albany County Legislature for creating this program that will offer these businesses a lifeline and help them sustain through this difficult time.”

The program offered a total of $500,000 in funding worth up to $5,000 for each grant for qualifying businesses in Albany County. Eligible applicants had to generate sales tax, have no more than 50 employees, and could not be a chain. They also had to show that their revenue has dropped by at least 25% due to the economic shutdown and ongoing pandemic. In all, 268 applications were submitted, 171 were eligible for grants and 132 businesses most impacted by COVID-19 were selected. Applications were scored by the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region and ultimately chosen by the Advance Albany County Alliance local development corporation. 

During the briefing, County Executive McCoy also highlighted that February is American Heart Month and tomorrow is National Wear Red Day. He encouraged residents to wear red to bring attention to heart disease as the number one health threat for women and to support those who have been affected by it.

Residents who want to check their eligibility for the vaccine and sign up for a shot at a state-run facility should use the state's website at the link here or call the state vaccine hotline at 1-833-697-4829. For general information on the vaccine and eligibility, residents can also dial the United Way of the Greater Capital Region’s 2-1-1.

Below is the remainder of the schedule for Albany County’s COVID-19 mobile testing sites this week, a collaboration with the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center. Testing is for those experiencing symptoms, essential workers and those returning to work by appointment only, after being screened over the phone. To be screened, please call (518) 465-4771.

Locations & Dates for the Week of February 1 
The full updated schedule, along with other testing site options, can be found at the Albany County website here.

Friday, February 5: 9AM - 12PM
Times Union Center, 51 South Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

Community-wide testing continues on the University at Albany (SUNY) campus by appointment only for those with or without symptoms. Appointments may be made by calling the NYS hotline at 888-364-3065 or by visiting the State Department of Health website.
 
County Executive McCoy continues to highlight the testing site in Albany County at Priority 1 Urgent Care, which also provides antibody testing, located in Hamilton Square at 2080 Western Avenue in Guilderland. Testing will only be provided after appointments are made and after patients come in to be screened for expanded CDC symptoms. To schedule an appointment, you can call (518) 867-8040.
 
The County Executive also encourages those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to register for the drive-thru community testing site at Rite Aid, 1863 Central Avenue in Colonie. Testing is free for those who are eligible based on CDC guidelines and are at least 18 years old. It’s available between 9am and 5pm, seven days a week by appointment only. Registration is now available at their website at the link here. Tests will be conducted from within an individual’s car with self-swab nasal tests and with the help of a pharmacist.
 
Walgreens is operating a testing facility at the 41 Holland Avenue location utilizing a self-collection model. Residents will be able to remain in their cars while assisted by pharmacists when necessary. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, individuals who are 18 years or older may be tested once completing an eligibility assessment at the Walgreens website or at their app. Patients can get their results from PWNHealth.
 
Price Chopper/Market 32 is piloting a free COVID-19 test program at three of its New York drive-thru pharmacies. Customers can register for a test at the website here and they will get a voucher to go to one of the testing sites on a specific date. Local participating pharmacies are in Latham, Clifton Park and Johnstown. Testing is on Tuesdays from 7am- 9am. Customers won’t leave their car and will administer the test themselves with guidance from a pharmacist. Results will be provided by eTrueNorth.
 
CVS is offering drive-thru testing at select stores. You must register online for an appointment. To do that and find locations offering the drive-thru testing, go to the CVS website.
 
Central Med Urgent Care, 1662 Central Avenue, Colonie offers the rapid antigen test, lab-based PCR and antibody testing. No appointment is required but you can call 518-240-1456 if you would like to make an appointment. Testing is available for children.

For the all latest data on COVID testing and results, you can refer to the Albany County COVID-19 Data Dashboard, as well as the New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Tracker.
 
For those experiencing stress, anxiety or depression during the ongoing pandemic, the Albany County Mental Health Support Line is available seven days a week, from 8am to 5pm at (518) 269-6634. Anyone experiencing a psychiatric emergency should still call the Albany County Mobile Crisis Team at (518) 549–6500. The 24-hour sexual assault hotline number is (518) 447-7716, and the free and confidential online text chat feature can be found at the link here.